This week we’re taking Superhero Playlist in a new direction. Because who doesn’t like a little Buffy in their day? In the case of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, we’ve got a strong, courageous fighter and a badass girl who isn’t afraid of getting her hands dirty when it comes to combat. Arguably Joss Whedon’s greatest female character ever, we think Buffy deserves her own playlist. In truth, this playlist is as much a tribute to Buffy as it is her friends and the show she starred in. So let’s see what songs we picked out that really capture the greatest parts of Buffy.
Kiss with a Fist, Florence +the Machine, 2009
One of the greatest parts about Buffy is that she broke ground for many badass female characters to come. She threw down vampires and bad guys left and right, and we looked forward to her brutal ass-kickery every week. Why not start this playlist off with a song that captures the fighting spirit that Buffy entails? “A kick to the teeth is good for some, A kiss with a fist is better then none.”
She Talks to Angels, Black Crowes, 1990
One of Buffy’s greatest love interests and our favorite characters, was none other than Angel. His popularity among fans even lead to him getting his own spin-off show. But Buffy’s relationship with Angel is a complicated one. While the lyrics to this song might be about a much deeper struggle with addiction, we think that if you listen to it with Buffy in mind, you’ll picture her and Angel in a different light. We had to pay tribute to Angel somehow on this list.
Hush, Deep Purple, 1968
We’re paying tribute in our own way to one of the greatest episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Hush, in which the entire town loses their voices. While the song might not be word-less, like most of the episode, we love the sound and the vibe behind it. The lyrics might be more suitable for a fan of Buffy’s, with words like, “She’s got loving like quicksand, Only took one touch of her hand, To blow my mind and I’m in so deep, That I can’t eat and I can’t sleep.”
Somebody’s Gonna Get Their Head Kicked in Tonight, Fleetwood Mac, 1969
Hey, you can’t have a Buffy playlist without a few ass-kicking songs, right? This early Fleetwood Mac hit would undeniably classify as a good beat-down song, with lyrics like, “All my boys are in distress and I hope that floor’s a bloody mess.” Who doesn’t love a classic Buffy smackdown? Well, there’s plenty more where that came from.
Little Willow, Paul McCartney, 1997
While we’d love to pay tribute to all of Buffy’s teammates and friends on this list, there’s no way we could possibly fit all of them in. However, we think Willow is worth a song on this list. Her arc on the show was important in several ways, taking her on a journey that most characters would have failed. But she always stood strong in the end and we love how this song seems to encourage Willow to keep on going. Maybe it’s from Buffy’s perspective, or another of the Scooby Gang, but either way, we hope Willow hold’s on tight.
Ain’t Your Fairytale, Sonata Arctica, 2004
If the title alone doesn’t give you a taste of the true essence of Buffy, the lyrics are a whole other story. This hard rocking song actually is our little tribute to another fan favorite and friend of Buffy’s, Oz. The song is about werewolves, but more importantly, it is about the fear and thrill of the hunt. However you interpret the words, the truth is that the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer really isn’t your average fairytale/fantasy. Joss Whedon’s spin on the genre really gave birth to a new style of fantasy storytelling that hadn’t really been explored much before.
Meant to Live, Switchfoot, 2003
The main chorus of this song states, “We were meant to live for so much more, Have we lost ourselves?” There’s a subtle message in there that strives to encourage and inspire, and we think that it would be a great motivator for Buffy and her allies. When things get to the point of almost giving up hope, this song encourages you to push on and follow through on your goals. Maybe it’s a bit cliché, but we think Buffy needs a good motivator song on her playlist.
The Ripper, Judas Priest, 1976
OK, while the song itself has more to do with Jack the Ripper, we couldn’t resist showing some love to Buffy’s mentor and friend, Rupert Giles…a.k.a. Ripper. Without Ripper, Buffy would have never learned to channel her focus and her powers, never becoming the vampire slayer we know she ended up becoming. Here’s one for Buffy to listen to when she thinks of her early years of training and lessons.
Slayer’s Blade, Attcker, 1985
So this might be an obscure song for you, but it certainly fits in this playlist, right? Slayer.s blade? C’mon…couldn’t get much more perfect than that. One more badass fighting song for the list, and this one packs an 80s rock punch. Just picture an epic showdown with Buffy and one of her evil foes, then listen to the words, “I turn around, it’s so unreal, Dreadful sight, bloodstained steel, Reality begins to fade, All i see is slayer’s blade.” Whether it’s with her fists, a blade, or something out of left field, Buffy is sure to take them down.
Scooby Doo Theme, 1969
How could we not pay tribute to the Scooby Gang? This one goes out to possibly one of the greatest teams in television, and a great support system around everybody’s favorite badass fighter, Buffy. They took their name from the classic cartoon show and their adventures, so why not bring it full circle with some Scooby Doo music?
Check in next week for another new spin on this weekly series. Think we missed a song? Want to suggest a hero or villain for a future installment? Let us know in the comments section below!
